The most effective strategy to treat cancer as deadly and debilitating as mesothelioma is prevention. Indeed, prevention and early diagnosis is the only viable solution to treat cancer and restore one’s health. Asbestos exposure is the most detrimental risk factor to develop mesothelioma. And once you’ve been exposed, you must act decisively and begin your preventive care regime without wasting much time.
First and foremost, you must focus on avoiding asbestos contamination and reducing your risk of further exposure. Do you work in a facility contaminated with asbestos, or perhaps, you use materials containing asbestos? Either way, eliminating the root cause is the key to prevention.
Keep reading to explore safety guidelines and preventive measures to fight mesothelioma at its root.
Educate yourself about asbestos
Contrary to what most believe, mesothelioma is entirely preventable like all other cancers. But first, you must educate yourself about asbestos contamination to identify the areas and conditions that allow it to thrive. Awareness is crucial to prevent exposure and a wide range of health issues.
The introduction of asbestos in manufacturing and construction processes dates back to the 20th century. Even though its use was discontinued decades ago, it is still found in numerous factories, manufacturing plans, offices, and residential properties.
People are commonly exposed to asbestos in chemical plants, energy-related job sites, shipyards, auto shops, and construction sites. It’s also common for the exposure to occur during home renovations when old material is taken apart for extensive refurbishment.
Eliminating Asbestos from your Environment
It’s crucial to undertake a thorough asbestos inspection and eliminate all traces to reduce your risk of developing mesothelioma. Prolonged exposure will weaken your lungs and respiratory health, setting the stage for numerous illnesses. You will have to engage certified abatement professionals to perform a thorough sweep and asbestos removal process.
You will likely find asbestos in the attic insulation, drywall, flooring, roof shingles, adhesives, insulation ducts, electric wiring, and popcorn ceiling. Homes constructed before the 1970s are more likely to feature asbestos-containing products and components. It’s crucial to eliminate asbestos from your immediate environment as its air-borne fibers enter the body every time we inhale.
If you suspect asbestos contamination in your workplace, be sure to alert your employer immediately.
Monitor your Health & Symptoms
Have you noticed any dramatic or subtle changes in your health or breathing patterns since the asbestos exposure? It’s crucial to monitor your health and consult a doctor as soon as you identify unusual symptoms. Asbestos exposure typically causes chest and abdomen pain, and in severe cases, it leads to respiratory damage. Experts advise keeping a journal to document sudden changes and symptoms so that you can discuss everything with your doctor.
More importantly, you must conduct regular blood tests to detect mesothelioma as soon as you spot unusual symptoms. Mesomark is the blood test used to detect mesothelioma, and the doctor commonly conducts it. Neglecting symptoms and delays in consulting the doctor will allow the disease to progress quickly. It’s crucial to stop mesothelioma and other forms of cancer in their tracks by controlling disease progression.
To achieve that, you must ensure early detection and diagnosis and undertake blood tests periodically to monitor bodily changes. Remember, a delayed diagnosis can put your life at grave risk.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
A cancer prevention diet will help you build bodily and mental strength to fight against the disease. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a nutrient-rich diet consisting of whole grains, fatty fish, vegetables, and fruits is crucial. You also need to replenish your body with fruits rich in antioxidants, such as dark berries and pomegranates.
Antioxidants are brimming with cancer-fighting compounds that will help ward off mesothelioma and lung-related infections. However, diet alone isn’t enough if you have a sedentary lifestyle and health-damaging habits. For instance, antioxidants won’t do much if you’re a smoker and your body is regularly exposed to carbon monoxide.
Don’t take the DIY Route
Don’t take the DIY route to asbestos removal, no matter how handy and efficient you are with your trusted toolkit. You see, this isn’t a DIY job, as handling asbestos-containing products and components will aggravate the risk of exposure.
Suppose you try to break and remove an asbestos-containing drywall or insulation pipe. In that case, the asbestos fibers will fall apart and circulate throughout your home environment, exacerbating your exposure. Taking the DIY route is akin to putting your entire family at risk of exposure.
Instead, you must engage experienced abatement professionals or an asbestos contractor for a detailed inspection and removal process.
Final Thoughts
Asbestos exposure is an issue of grave concern, and you must act decisively without wasting any time. First and foremost, build awareness around the risk factors, and engage a doctor as soon as you identify unusual symptoms. If you suspect the presence of asbestos in your home, engage professionals immediately to get it removed.
If you suspect asbestos exposure in your workplace, inform your employer or the concerned authorities without delay. And lastly, be sure to undertake regular screenings until the symptoms vanish entirely. Remember, early detection and diagnosis are crucial to fight this deadly disease and fortify your body.